When sharing your website on social media or other platforms, the image that appears next to your URL can significantly impact user engagement. Fortunately, Yoast SEO makes it easy to customize this feature. In this article, we'll guide you through the steps to change the image next to your URL using Yoast SEO.
What is Open Graph?
Before we dive into the steps, it’s essential to understand what Open Graph is. Open Graph is a protocol used by social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to fetch and display metadata about a webpage. This includes the title, description, and, importantly, the image.
Steps to Change the Image Using Yoast SEO
Step 1: Install and Activate Yoast SEO
If you haven't already, install the Yoast SEO plugin:
- Go to your WordPress dashboard.
- Click on Plugins > Add New.
- Search for “Yoast SEO”.
- Click Install Now, then Activate.
Step 2: Edit the Page or Post
- Navigate to the page or post for which you want to change the image.
- Click on Edit to open the editor.
Step 3: Scroll to the Yoast SEO Meta Box
In the editor, scroll down to find the Yoast SEO meta box, typically located below the main content area.
Step 4: Go to the Social Tab
- Click on the Social tab within the Yoast SEO meta box.
- Here, you will see fields for adding specific metadata for Facebook and Twitter.
Step 5: Upload Your Image
- Under the Facebook section, look for the Image field.
- Click Upload Image to select a new image from your media library or upload a new one.
Step 6: Fill in the Title and Description
While you're here, it's a good idea to add a compelling title and description that will attract clicks:
- Facebook Title: This is what will appear as the title when shared.
- Facebook Description: A brief description of the page content.
Step 7: Update Your Page/Post
Once you've added the image and filled out the necessary fields, click the Update button to save your changes.
Testing Your Changes
After updating, it's important to test whether your changes have been successfully applied. You can do this by using the Facebook Sharing Debugger tool:
- Copy your page URL.
- Go to the Facebook Sharing Debugger.
- Paste your URL and click Debug.
- This tool will show you the Open Graph metadata, including the new image.
Conclusion
Changing the image next to your URL is a straightforward process with Yoast SEO. By customizing this visual element, you can enhance your website's visibility on social media and improve engagement with your content. Follow the steps outlined above to ensure you have the perfect image that aligns with your brand and message. Happy optimizing!